Tag: samuel l. jackson

  • Watch the Marvel Movies in Story Order

    Watch the Marvel Movies in Story Order

    Marvel Studios' Marvel Cinematic Universe. Photo: Marvels Studio.
    Marvel Studios’ Marvel Cinematic Universe. Photo: Marvels Studio.

    It’s fair to say that the Marvel movies, specifically the Marvel Cinematic Universe releases, have reached “cultural event” status.  And there’s a strong case to be made that the MCU is a currently a pop culture juggernaut, the likes of which we haven’t since the original ‘Star Wars‘ trilogy hit theaters for the first time.

    Now the MCU saga is continuing on TV, starting with ‘WandaVision‘ and continuing  with ‘Loki,’ ‘The Falcon and the Winter Solider,’ ‘Ms. Marvel,’ ‘She-Hulk: Attorney at Law,’ ‘Hawkeye,’ ‘Moon Knight,’ ‘Secret Invasion‘, ‘Echo‘, ‘Agatha All Along‘, and ‘Daredevil: Born Again‘.

    Not to mention the new “Special Presentation” movies that Marvel has debuted on Disney+ including ‘Werewolf by Night‘ and ‘The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special.’

    It is a great time to watch the Marvel movies in order now and you can watch them all on Disney Plus in 4K format. You can even plan virtual Marvel movie nights with your friends using Disney+ GroupWatch feature.


    Captain America: The First Avenger

    (L to R) Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan in 'Captain America: The First Avenger'. Photo: Marvel Studios.
    (L to R) Chris Evans and Sebastian Stan in ‘Captain America: The First Avenger’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

    During World War II, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) is a sickly man from Brooklyn who’s transformed into super-soldier Captain America to aid in the war effort. Rogers must stop the Red Skull (Hugo Weaving) – Adolf Hitler’s ruthless head of weaponry, and the leader of an organization that intends to use a mysterious device of untold powers for world domination.

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    Captain Marvel

    The story follows Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) as she becomes one of the universe’s most powerful heroes when Earth is caught in the middle of a galactic war between two alien races. Set in the 1990s, Captain Marvel is an all-new adventure from a previously unseen period in the history of the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

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    Iron Man

    After being held captive in an Afghan cave, billionaire engineer Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) creates a unique weaponized suit of armor to fight evil.

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    The Incredible Hulk

    Scientist Bruce Banner (Edward Norton) scours the planet for an antidote to the unbridled force of rage within him: the Hulk. But when the military masterminds who dream of exploiting his powers force him back to civilization, he finds himself coming face to face with a new, deadly foe.

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    Iron Man 2

    With the world now aware of his dual life as the armored superhero Iron Man, billionaire inventor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) faces pressure from the government, the press and the public to share his technology with the military. Unwilling to let go of his invention, Stark, with Pepper Potts (Gwyneth Paltrow) and James ‘Rhodey’ Rhodes (Don Cheadle) at his side, must forge new alliances – and confront powerful enemies.

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    Thor

    Against his father Odin’s (Anthony Hopkins) will, The Mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth) – a powerful but arrogant warrior god – recklessly reignites an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

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    The Avengers

    When an unexpected enemy emerges and threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins!

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    Iron Man 3

    When Tony Stark’s (Robert Downey Jr.) world is torn apart by a formidable terrorist called the Mandarin, he starts an odyssey of rebuilding and retribution.

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    Thor: The Dark World

    Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos… but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

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    Captain America: The Winter Soldier

    (L to R) Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson in 'Captain America: The Winter Soldier'. Photo: Marvel Studios.
    (L to R) Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson in ‘Captain America: The Winter Soldier’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

    After the cataclysmic events in New York with ‘The Avengers’, Steve Rogers (Chris Evans), aka Captain America is living quietly in Washington, D.C. and trying to adjust to the modern world. But when a S.H.I.E.L.D. colleague comes under attack, Steve becomes embroiled in a web of intrigue that threatens to put the world at risk. Joining forces with the Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson), Captain America struggles to expose the ever-widening conspiracy while fighting off professional assassins sent to silence him at every turn. When the full scope of the villainous plot is revealed, Captain America and the Black Widow enlist the help of a new ally, the Falcon (Anthony Mackie). However, they soon find themselves up against an unexpected and formidable enemy—the Winter Soldier.

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    Guardians of the Galaxy

    Light years from Earth, 26 years after being abducted, Peter Quill (Chris Pratt) finds himself the prime target of a manhunt after discovering an orb wanted by Ronan the Accuser.

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    Guardians of the Galaxy, Vol. 2

    The Guardians must fight to keep their newfound family together as they unravel the mysteries of Peter Quill’s (Chris Pratt) true parentage.

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    Avengers: Age of Ultron

    When Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.) tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron (James Spader) emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.

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    Ant-Man

    Armed with the astonishing ability to shrink in scale but increase in strength, master thief Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) must embrace his inner-hero and help his mentor, Doctor Hank Pym (Michael Douglas), protect the secret behind his spectacular Ant-Man suit from a new generation of towering threats. Against seemingly insurmountable obstacles, Pym and Lang must plan and pull off a heist that will save the world.

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    Captain America: Civil War

    Following the events of ‘Age of Ultron’, the collective governments of the world pass an act designed to regulate all superhuman activity. This polarizes opinion amongst the Avengers, causing two factions to side with Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.) or Captain America (Chris Evans), which causes an epic battle between former allies.

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    Black Widow

    Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson) aka Black Widow confronts the darker parts of her ledger when a dangerous conspiracy with ties to her past arises. Pursued by a force that will stop at nothing to bring her down, Natasha must deal with her history as a spy and the broken relationships left in her wake long before she became an Avenger.

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    Spider-Man: Homecoming

    Following the events of ‘Captain America: Civil War’, Peter Parker (Tom Holland), with the help of his mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York City, with fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man as a new threat, the Vulture (Michael Keaton), emerges.

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    Black Panther

    Chadwick Boseman as T'Challa / Black Panther in 2018's 'Black Panther.'
    Chadwick Boseman as T’Challa / Black Panther in 2018’s ‘Black Panther.’

    King T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) returns home to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country’s new leader. However, T’Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T’Challa assumes the Black Panther mantle to join with ex-girlfriend Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o), the queen-mother, his princess-kid sister, members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan ‘special forces’) and an American secret agent, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.

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    Doctor Strange

    After his career is destroyed, a brilliant but arrogant surgeon (Benedict Cumberbatch) gets a new lease on life when a sorcerer takes him under her wing and trains him to defend the world against evil.

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    Thor: Ragnarok

    Thor (Chris Hemsworth) is imprisoned on the other side of the universe and finds himself in a race against time to get back to Asgard to stop Ragnarok, the destruction of his home-world and the end of Asgardian civilization, at the hands of a powerful new threat, the ruthless Hela (Cate Blanchett).

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    Ant-Man and the Wasp

    Just when his time under house arrest is about to end, Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) once again puts his freedom at risk to help Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly) and Dr. Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) dive into the quantum realm and try to accomplish, against time and any chance of success, a very dangerous rescue mission.

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    Avengers: Infinity War

    As the Avengers and their allies have continued to protect the world from threats too large for any one hero to handle, a new danger has emerged from the cosmic shadows: Thanos (Josh Brolin). A despot of intergalactic infamy, his goal is to collect all six Infinity Stones, artifacts of unimaginable power, and use them to inflict his twisted will on all of reality. Everything the Avengers have fought for has led up to this moment – the fate of Earth and existence itself has never been more uncertain.

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    Avengers: Endgame

    After the devastating events of Avengers: Infinity War, the universe is in ruins due to the efforts of the Mad Titan, Thanos (Josh Brolin). With the help of remaining allies, the Avengers must assemble once more in order to undo Thanos’ actions and restore order to the universe once and for all, no matter what consequences may be in store.

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    Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

    Shang-Chi (Simu Liu) must confront the past he thought he left behind when he is drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization and his father, Xu Wenwu (Tony Leung).

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    Spider-Man: Far From Home

    Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his friends go on a summer trip to Europe. However, they will hardly be able to rest – Peter will have to agree to help Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) uncover the mystery of creatures that cause natural disasters and destruction throughout the continent.

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    Spider-Man: No Way Home

    Tom Holland in 'Spider-Man: No Way Home.' Photo: Marvel Studios.
    Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.

    Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a super-hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man. Teaming with other Multiverse Spider-Men (Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield), they must now work together to take out the Green Goblin (Willem Dafoe), Doctor Octopus (Alfred Molina), Electro (Jamie Foxx) and other Spider-Man villains from around the multiverse.

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    Eternals

    The Eternals are a team of ancient aliens who have been living on Earth in secret for thousands of years. When an unexpected tragedy forces them out of the shadows, they are forced to reunite against mankind’s most ancient enemy, the Deviants.

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    Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness

    Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), with the help of mystical allies both old and new, traverses the mind-bending and dangerous alternate realities of the Multiverse to confront a mysterious new adversary.

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    Thor: Love and Thunder

    After his retirement is interrupted by Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale), a galactic killer who seeks the extinction of the gods, Thor Odinson (Chris Hemsworth) enlists the help of King Valkyrie (Tessa Thompson), Korg, and ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), who now wields Mjolnir as the Mighty Thor. Together they embark upon a harrowing cosmic adventure to uncover the mystery of the God Butcher’s vengeance and stop him before it’s too late.

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    Werewolf by Night

    On a dark and somber night, a secret cabal of monster hunters emerge from the shadows and gather at the foreboding Bloodstone Temple following the death of their leader. In a strange and macabre memorial to the leader’s life, the attendees are thrust into a mysterious and deadly competition for a powerful relic—a hunt that will ultimately bring them face to face with a dangerous monster.

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    Black Panther: Wakanda Forever

    Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M’Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T’Challa’s (Chadwick Boseman) death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong’o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.

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    The Guardians of the Galaxy Holiday Special

    On a mission to make Christmas unforgettable for Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), the Guardians head to Earth in search of the perfect present. The special follows Drax the Destroyer (Dave Bautista) and Mantis (Pom Klementieff) as they set out to give Quill the best Christmas ever, after discovering that Yondu (Michael Rooker) ruined the holiday for him as a child.

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    Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3

    Peter Quill (Chris Pratt), still reeling from the loss of Gamora (Zoe Saldaña), must rally his team around him to defend the universe along with protecting one of their own. A mission that, if not completed successfully, could quite possibly lead to the end of the Guardians as we know them.

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    Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania

    (L to R) Kathryn Newton as Cassandra "Cassie" Lang and Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in Marvel Studios' 'Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.' Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.
    (L to R) Kathryn Newton as Cassandra “Cassie” Lang and Paul Rudd as Scott Lang/Ant-Man in Marvel Studios’ ‘Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania.’ Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2022 Marvel.

    Super-Hero partners Scott Lang (Paul Rudd) and Hope van Dyne (Evangeline Lilly), along with with Hope’s parents Janet van Dyne (Michelle Pfeiffer) and Hank Pym (Michael Douglas) , and Scott’s daughter Cassie Lang (Kathryn Newton), find themselves exploring the Quantum Realm, interacting with strange new creatures and embarking on an adventure that will push them beyond the limits of what they thought possible and pits them against Kang the Conqueror (Jonathan Majors).

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    The Marvels

    (L to R) Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan, Brie Larson as Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers, and Teyonah Parris as Captain Monica Rambeau in Marvel Studios' 'The Marvels.' Photo by Laura Radford. © 2023 MARVEL.
    (L to R) Iman Vellani as Ms. Marvel/Kamala Khan, Brie Larson as Captain Marvel/Carol Danvers, and Teyonah Parris as Captain Monica Rambeau in Marvel Studios’ ‘The Marvels.’ Photo by Laura Radford. © 2023 MARVEL.

    Carol Danvers (Brie Larson), aka Captain Marvel, has reclaimed her identity from the tyrannical Kree and taken revenge on the Supreme Intelligence. But unintended consequences see Carol shouldering the burden of a destabilized universe. When her duties send her to an anomalous wormhole linked to a Kree revolutionary, her powers become entangled with that of Jersey City super-fan Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani), aka Ms. Marvel, and Carol’s estranged niece, now S.A.B.E.R. astronaut Captain Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). Together, this unlikely trio must team up and learn to work in concert to save the universe.

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    Captain America: Brave New World

    Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios' 'Captain America: Brave New World'. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.
    Captain America/Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie) in Marvel Studios’ ‘Captain America: Brave New World’. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2024 Marvel.

    After meeting with newly elected U.S. President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford), Sam (Anthony Mackie) finds himself in the middle of an international incident. He must discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.

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    Thunderbolts*’

    (L to R) Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Bob (Lewis Pullman), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)in Marvel Studios' 'Thunderbolts*'. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2025 Marvel.
    (L to R) Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Bob (Lewis Pullman), John Walker (Wyatt Russell), Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian (David Harbour), Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh) and Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan)in Marvel Studios’ ‘Thunderbolts*’. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2025 Marvel.

    After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap, seven disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts.

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    The Fantastic Four: First Steps

    (L to R) Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' 'Fantastic Four: First Steps'. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 Marvel.
    (L to R) Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Ben Grimm/The Thing, Vanessa Kirby as Sue Storm/Invisible Woman, Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic and Joseph Quinn as Johnny Storm/Human Torch in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘Fantastic Four: First Steps’. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios. © 2025 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2025 Marvel.

    Against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel’s First Family is forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, while defending Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner).

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    Deadpool & Wolverine

    (L to R) Hugh Jackman, Wesley Snipes, Channing Tatum, Dafne Keen, Ryan Reynolds and Jennifer Garner in 'Deadpool & Wolverine'. Photo: Marvel Studios.
    (L to R) Hugh Jackman, Wesley Snipes, Channing Tatum, Dafne Keen, Ryan Reynolds and Jennifer Garner in ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

    Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ delivers the ultimate, iconic, cinematic team-up throw-down on July 26.

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    Check out our post where we also ranked all of the Marvel movies from worst to best.

  • Chris Pratt Returning for Sequel to ‘The Garfield Movie’

    Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield in 'The Garfield Movie'. Photo By Trae Patton. © 2023 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield in ‘The Garfield Movie’. Photo By Trae Patton. © 2023 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Preview:

    • Chris Pratt will return to voice Garfield for a sequel to ‘The Garfield Movie’.
    • The 2024 movie made more than $257 million worldwide last year.
    • There are no details on who will write or direct the sequel yet.

    Lasagna-scoffing feline Garfield has been a pop culture fixture for nearly 50 years by now, with Jim Davis’ iconic character adapted various times for screens big and small.

    The most recent version, last year’s animated outing ‘The Garfield Movie’, was a success, so it should surprise absolutely no one to learn that a sequel is now in development via producers Alcon Entertainment.

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    While there is little to truly report about this one yet –– according to Deadline, no writer or director has made a deal to craft it at this point –– but we do know that Chris Pratt, who lent his vocal tones to the main character, will be officially back in the recording booth for the new one.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘The Garfield Movie’

    What was the story of ‘The Garfield Movie’?

    Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield in 'The Garfield Movie'. Photo By Trae Patton. © 2023 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield in ‘The Garfield Movie’. Photo By Trae Patton. © 2023 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Garfield (Pratt), the world-famously lazy, Monday-hating indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure.

    After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie (Harvey Guillén) are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.

    Mark Dindal directed the 2024 movie, with a screenplay that featured contributions from (deep breath) Paul A. Kaplan, Mark Torgove, David Reynolds, Lee Eisenberg and Gene Stupnitsky.

    (L to R) Odie, Vic and Garfield in 'The Garfield Movie'. Photo: DNEG Animation. Copyright: © 2023 Project G Productions, LLC.
    (L to R) Odie, Vic and Garfield in ‘The Garfield Movie’. Photo: DNEG Animation. Copyright: © 2023 Project G Productions, LLC.

    Reviews for the movie weren’t particularly positive, but audiences embraced it, with a worldwide box office haul of more than $257 million.

    And there is still plenty of source material to be mined: the original ‘Garfield’ comic strip debuted in June 1978, appearing in 41 newspapers, but its success and immediate popularity made it one of the fastest-growing comic strips of all time, ultimately appearing in 2,580 newspapers and journals, with an estimated readership of 260 million.

    ‘Garfield’ currently holds the record for being the most widely syndicated comic strip in the world.

    What we don’t yet know on the sequel front is whether any of the original creative team (or other cast) will be back; it’s early days on this one.

    When will ‘The Garfield Movie’ sequel be in theaters?

    While this is the sort of movie you expect to see racing to meet a release date that was set well in advance, it looks like Alcon and Sony are taking a slower approach on this one, with no date in place just yet.

    Probably a smart move given the lack of writer or director in place just yet.

    Chris Pratt stars in 'The Garfield Movie'.
    Chris Pratt stars in ‘The Garfield Movie’.

    List of Garfield Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy ‘Garfield‘ Movies On Amazon

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  • Samuel L. Jackson Starring in ‘NOLA King’

    Samuel L. Jackson arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Kyusung Gong / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Samuel L. Jackson arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Kyusung Gong / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Preview:

    • Samuel L. Jackson will star in new TV crime drama ‘NOLA King.’
    • It’s a spin-off from the Sylvester Stallone series ‘Tulsa King.’
    • The new show is part of Taylor Sheridan’s ever-expanding TV universe.

    Like a supernova, the television universe spawned by screenwriter-turned-showrunning mogul Taylor Sheridan continues to expand.

    And it also keeps on swallowing up stars, too, with the latest name added to the roster no less a performer than Samuel L. Jackson.

    The acting icon is now boarding ‘NOLA King,’ a spin-off series from the Sylvester Stallone-starring Paramount+ crime drama ‘Tulsa King.’

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    According to Deadline’s sources, the show will feature Jackson as Russell Lee Washington Jr., who heads to New Orleans to take over a crime empire.

    Related Article: Samuel L. Jackson the Latest to Join J.J. Abrams’ New, Mysterious Movie

    What’s the story of ‘Tulsa King’?

    Sylvester Stallone as Dwight "The General" Manfredi of the Paramount+ original series 'Tulsa King'. Photo Credit: Brian Douglas/Paramount+. © 2024 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Sylvester Stallone as Dwight “The General” Manfredi of the Paramount+ original series ‘Tulsa King’. Photo Credit: Brian Douglas/Paramount+. © 2024 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    ‘Tulsa King’ follows New York mafia capo Dwight (Stallone), just after he is released from prison after 25 years and unceremoniously exiled by his boss to set up shop in Tulsa, Okla.

    Realizing that his mob family may not have his best interests in mind, Dwight slowly builds a “crew” from a group of unlikely characters to help him establish a new criminal empire in a place that to him might as well be another planet.

    Production on Season 3 of ‘Tulsa King’ has been underway in Atlanta and Oklahoma for a couple of months. Jackson is expected to film his episodes in July, with production on ‘NOLA King’ eying a February start.

    The series’ second season debut set a Paramount+ record for most watched global premiere at the time with a reported 21.1 million global streaming viewers.

    Dave Erickson, who is showrunner and head writer on both ‘Tulsa King’ and another Sheridan show, ‘Mayor of Kingstown’ (that one stars Jeremy Renner), will stay aboard ‘Kingstown’ but swap his showrunner duties on ‘Tulsa King’ for ‘NOLA King as that gears up to start production.

    The new show apparently sprang from an idea by Chris McCarthy, President and CEO of Showtime and MTV Entertainment Studios, looking to expand the world of ‘Tulsa King’ the way Sheridan’s ‘Yellowstone’ has spawned multiple offshoots.

    What else is Samuel L. Jackson working on?

    Samuel L. Jackson arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Michael Baker / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Samuel L. Jackson arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Michael Baker / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Given his prolific career, it might be easier to talk about what he isn’t working on, but Jackson is as ever, busy.

    He’s part of the cast for apocalyptic pic ‘Afterburn,’ which is based on the Red 5 Comics graphic novel by Scott Chitwood, Paul Ens and artist Wayne Nichols, and set 10 years after a solar flare has wiped out technology across the globe.

    Dave Bautista will play ex-soldier Jake, who works as a treasure hunter recovering valuable objects from the old world for powerful clients. His latest mission is to team with freedom fighter Drea to recover the Mona Lisa before an unhinged warlord gets there first –– all while avoiding mutated creatures that roam the territory.

    Jackson will play the supporting role of freedom fighter Valentine. Despite the starry cast, that movie appears to be in something of a release limbo for now.

    Elsewhere, Jackson has been at work on J.J. Abrams’ mysterious new event movie, which also includes the likes of Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega and Emma Mackey on its cast list.

    And then there’s Renny Harlin’s new action thriller ‘The Beast,’ in which Jackson’s U.S. President, in response to an armed coup, must rely on the extensive defensive capabilities of the titular presidential vehicle.

    ‘NOLA King,’ meanwhile is just Jackson’s latest dip into TV –– he was part of the cast for ‘Fight Night: The Million Dollar Heist’ and lent his voice to Marvel’s ‘What If…?’ Disney+ series, reprising his role as Nick Fury.

    Trivia note: in 2023, the Guinness Book of World Records declared Jackson the actor with the highest-grossing collective box office of all time, with his films (including the ‘Avengers’ franchise and hits like ‘Pulp Fiction’ — for which he was nominated for an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor — and ‘Jurassic Park’) bringing more than a cumulative $7 billion. All told, Jackson has appeared in more than 150 films.

    When will ‘NOLA King’ be on screens?

    Given that Jackson still has to film his scenes on ‘Tulsa King’ to set up the new show and ‘NOLA King’ doesn’t even kick off production until early next year, our best guess for a premiere date at this point is later in 2026.

    Sylvester Stallone as Dwight "The General" Manfredi of the Paramount+ original series 'Tulsa King'. Photo Credit: Brian Douglas/Paramount+. © 2024 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Sylvester Stallone as Dwight “The General” Manfredi of the Paramount+ original series ‘Tulsa King’. Photo Credit: Brian Douglas/Paramount+. © 2024 Viacom International Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Other Taylor Sheridan TV Shows

    Buy Samuel L. Jackson Movies and TV On Amazon

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  • TV Review: ‘What If…?’ Season 3

    The Watcher (voiced by Jeffrey Wright) in Marvel Animation Television's 'What If...?' Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.
    The Watcher (voiced by Jeffrey Wright) in Marvel Animation Television’s ‘What If…?’ Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.

    Landing on Disney+ daily across eight days from December 22nd, the second season of Marvel’s Disney+ animated series ‘What If…?’ wraps up the show’s run –– at least for now –– with another set of episodes where several build to a grand, multiverse-hopping finale.

    Disney’s Marvel arm has seen something of a renewal this year, between the success of ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ (even if that film poked plenty of fun at how tired the idea of the multiverse seems these days) and ‘Agatha All Along.’ And now here comes the welcome return of ‘What If…?’ which again blends more stand-alone stories with some clever easter eggs (and in one case, an actual egg) that knit together to spin a bigger tale around Jeffrey Wright’s powerful The Watcher. Who, it turns out, will have to answer for meddling in the affairs of different universes.

    Does ‘What If…?’ Season 3 still provide multiversal fun?

    A scene from Marvel Animation’s 'What If...?' Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.
    A scene from Marvel Animation’s ‘What If…?’ Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.

    In keeping with the previous two seasons, the new run of ‘What If…?’ offers a blend of intriguing possibilities and an overarching spine that only starts to reveal itself towards the end of this final eight episodes. Those who have seen the previous seasons won’t be surprised at what it is building to, though it’s mostly satisfying.

    But the pleasure in this show is usually more in the individual episodes, which here run the gamut between the hilarious (one focused on Howard the Duck and his unlikely, but somehow perfect relationship) and the heartbreaking (an epic, dystopian story of what happens with a ‘Black Panther’-associated character following the near destruction of Earth by Tiamut the celestial). Indeed, there is better use of several elements of the ‘Eternals’ than in the movie itself.

    Another welcome element, near prescient, given the runaway success of her solo show, is the presence of Kathryn Hahn’s Agatha Harkness.

    And that’s probably about all we can say on that front, given the extensive embargoes in place on this!

    Script and Direction

    (L to R) Byrdie (voiced by Natasha Lyonne), Captain Carter/Peggy Carter (voiced by Hayley Atwell), and Kahhori (voiced by Devery Jacobs) in Marvel Animation Television's 'What If...?' Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Byrdie (voiced by Natasha Lyonne), Captain Carter/Peggy Carter (voiced by Hayley Atwell), and Kahhori (voiced by Devery Jacobs) in Marvel Animation Television’s ‘What If…?’ Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.

    The regular writing team of Matthew Chauncey, Ryan Little and A.C. Bradley are back for the season, and the scripts run the usual gamut of superb to solid. While there isn’t perhaps the knockout winner of, say, last year’s festive episode, there remains a good balance of character interaction and fascinating peeks into unusual corners of the MCU while also blending in some more comics-faithful moments for fans of the printed pages.

    Bryan Andrews and Stephan Franck return to direct the episodes and the look of the show continues to evolve in subtle ways. Most of the characters will be instantly recognizable, while others, such as Obadiah Stane (voiced here by Kiff VandenHeuvel rather than Jeff Bridges) might take a moment.

    Performances

    Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith) in Marvel Animation Television's 'What If...?' Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.
    Storm (voiced by Alison Sealy-Smith) in Marvel Animation Television’s ‘What If…?’ Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.

    As with the past seasons, the new batch of episodes has a blend of original MCU performers (the likes of Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Mackie, Laurence Fishburne, Samuel L. Jackson, Kat Dennings, David Harbour and Hayley Atwell) rubbing shoulders –– or perhaps that should be vocal chords –– with replacements (multi-voice talent Ross Marquand the MVP here).

    There are the occasionally jarring replacements, but on the whole, it’s a satisfying set of voices. Seth Green is great as usual as Howard the Duck, playing perfectly off the energy of Kat Dennings as Darcy. And kudos to Wright who, when given more to do as the Watcher than simply observe and narrate.

    Oh, and you won’t tire of hearing Jackson emote the phrase “Mr. and Mrs.… The Duck.”

    It’s also fun to hear the likes of Jason Isaacs –– something of a genre titan thanks to ‘Harry Potter,’ ‘Star Trek,’ ‘Star Wars’ and the DC animated appearances he’s put in –– as a powerful cosmic entity whose voice fairly drips with withering sarcasm.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Kate Bishop (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) and Shang-Chi (voiced by Simu Liu) in Marvel Animation Television's 'What If...?' Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Kate Bishop (voiced by Hailee Steinfeld) and Shang-Chi (voiced by Simu Liu) in Marvel Animation Television’s ‘What If…?’ Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.

    Though it may not quite hit the highs of last year’s festive season run, Season 3 of ‘What If…?’ certainly has enough pleasures to keep fans happy. And though the big finale feels a little predictable at times, it is definitely enough to leave you wishing the company would commission future seasons, especially given how effective the creative team has been in making compelling narratives fit in sub-30-minute episodes.

    ‘What If…?’ Season 3 receives 8 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the plot of ‘What If…?’ Season 3?

    “What If…?” returns in Season 3 for its culminating adventure through the multiverse.

    Watch as classic characters make unexpected choices that will mutate their worlds into spectacular alternate versions of the MCU. The Watcher (Jeffrey Wright) will guide viewers as the series traverses new genres, bigger spectacles, and incredible new characters.

    Who is in the cast of  ‘What If…?’ Season 3?

    Marvel Animation's 'What If...?' Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.
    Marvel Animation’s ‘What If…?’ Season 3. Photo courtesy of Marvel Animation. © 2024 Marvel. All Rights Reserved.

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  • Wyatt Russell Joins Steven Spielberg’s New Film

    (Left) Wyatt Russell from 'Thunderbolts' at D23 Expo 2022. (Right) Steven Spielberg arrives on the red carpet at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Photo: Trae Patton/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    (Left) Wyatt Russell from ‘Thunderbolts’ at D23 Expo 2022. (Right) Steven Spielberg arrives on the red carpet at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Photo: Trae Patton/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Preview:

    • Wyatt Russell has been added to Steven Spielberg’s new movie.
    • The ‘Jurassic Park’ director’s new film is a secretive event-level project.
    • David Koepp wrote the script.

    Not to be outdone by the likes of Christopher Nolan and J.J. Abrams, who both seem to be recruiting whole swathes of Hollywood and beyond for their respective next planned movies, Steven Spielberg has another name on the list for his latest project.

    The powerhouse director and producer, still seen as one of the most famous and successful filmmakers in the world, has a mysterious new movie in the works, and Wyatt Russell is the latest to join the swelling thespian ranks.

    Related Article: Samuel L. Jackson to Join Steven Spielberg’s New, Mysterious Event Movie

    What’s the story of Steven Spielberg’s new film?

    Director Steven Spielberg on the set of 'The Post'. Photo: 20th Century Fox.
    Director Steven Spielberg on the set of ‘The Post’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    That’s the one thing that has really been kept quiet about the director’s latest project. While it has been talked about as an “event movie” –– as opposed to his last two movies, ‘The Fabelmans’ and ‘West Side Story’, which verged more towards awards season prestige than summer blockbuster territory, this one will be squarely more in the wheelhouse of movies such as the ‘Indiana Jones’ movies and ‘Jurassic Park.’

    Or perhaps we should say ‘Close Encounters of the Third Kind’ or ‘War of the Worlds’ as the new film is reportedly once more focused on alien (or at least UFO) interaction. Nothing on that front has been confirmed, though, and Spielberg has the clout to keep it that way for now.

    Still, ‘Jurassic Park’ is also a touchstone, since writer David Koepp, who wrote the first two outings of the dino-franchise (and recently returned to pen ‘Jurassic World Rebirth,’ which director Gareth Edwards shot), crafted the script for the new movie based on an idea from Spielberg.

    The director is also producing the film via his Amblin company.

    Who else is in Spielberg’s new movie?

    Samuel L. Jackson at the red carpet premiere of Marvel Studios' 'Secret Invasion.'
    Samuel L. Jackson at the red carpet premiere of Marvel Studios’ ‘Secret Invasion.’

    As with Nolan’s latest film, Steven Spielberg is the sort of director who can lock down pretty much any talent that he requires, short of them being unavailable.

    Jackson is just the newest person mentioned; the film already features the likes of Eve Hewson, Emily Blunt, Colman Domingo and Colin Firth.

    Most recently, Samuel L. Jackson –– who appeared in ‘Jurassic Park’ –– signed on to reunite with the director.

    In the spirit of the rest of the movie, we don’t know what roles that ensemble will be taking, as the only concrete information appears to be a plan to shoot next spring in the tax break-friendly state of Georgia.

    This is what Blunt had to say about meeting the director and landing the role:

    “We start in February, and that’s all I can tell you. I was so awestruck to even get the call. And then in the meeting, he goes, ‘Would you like to know why you’re here?’ And I was like, ‘Yes please.’ I was trying not to dork out and just talk to him about endless scenes from ‘Jaws’ that I’ve been obsessed with for years. He’s really magical. I’m very happy.”

    What else is Steven Spielberg developing?

    (L to R) Gabriel LaBelle and co-writer/producer/director Steven Spielberg on the set of 'The Fabelmans.'
    (L to R) Gabriel LaBelle and co-writer/producer/director Steven Spielberg on the set of ‘The Fabelmans.’

    Honestly, at this point, it’s easier to list projects that the prolific Spielberg isn’t involved with.

    As producer alone, there is the next ‘Jurassic World’ movie (‘Rebirth’) headed our way next year, alongside a film about the wife of William Shakespeare called ‘Hamnet’ that stars Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley and is directed by ‘EternalsChloé Zhao.

    There are also the many projects on his sprawling to-do list as a director, including a new ‘Tintin’ movie, a film continuing the story of the character from ‘Bullitt,’ and one about Ulysses S. Grant.

    And recent rumors have seen the director linked to an adaptation of author John Scalzi’s ‘Old Man’s War’ books, though Scalzi has warned not to get too excited about that news for now.

    Where else have I seen Wyatt Russell?

    Wyatt Russell in 'Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,' coming soon to Apple TV+.
    Wyatt Russell in ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters,’ coming soon to Apple TV+.

    Russell, the son of Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn, has been in movies including ‘Cowboys & Aliens,’ ‘22 Jump Street,’ ‘Everybody Wants Some!!’ ‘Overlord’ and ‘Night Swim.’

    On the small screen, his roles include ‘Under the Banner of Heaven,’ ‘Lodge 49’ and ‘Monarch: Legacy of Monsters’ (in which he plays the younger version of Lee Shaw, with his dad as the elder take).

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    Most notably, Russell –– who lost out on playing Captain America to Chris Evans –– scored the role of John Walker/US Agent (a government-sanctioned replacement for Cap) in MCU TV series ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier.’ He’ll be reprising the role for new movie ‘Thunderbolts*,’ which also features Sebastian Stan and Florence Pugh.

    That Marvel movie is due on May 2nd next year.

    When will Spielberg’s latest be in theaters?

    (L to R) Rita Moreno and director Steven Spielberg on the set of 'West Side Story'. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.
    (L to R) Rita Moreno and director Steven Spielberg on the set of ‘West Side Story’. Photo: Walt Disney Studios.

    Universal and Amblin Entertainment have handed the movie a May 15th, 2026, release date, setting it squarely in the summer blockbuster territory that Spielberg himself helped establish way back in the 1970s with the likes of ‘Jaws.’

    It means Spielberg will be filling one of that year’s summer slots alongside Nolan’s new project (headed our way on July 17th) and –– assuming he sets a release date –– Abrams.

    (L to R) Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg arrive on the red carpet at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Photo: Trae Patton/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Kate Capshaw and Steven Spielberg arrive on the red carpet at the 81st Annual Golden Globe Awards, airing live from the Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on Sunday, January 7, 2024, at 8 PM ET/5 PM PT, on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Photo: Trae Patton/CBS ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    List of Steven Spielberg Movies:

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  • ‘The Piano Lesson’ Press Conference with Cast and Crew

    The cast of 'The Piano Lesson'. Photo: David Lee/Netflix © 2024.
    The cast of ‘The Piano Lesson’. Photo: David Lee/Netflix © 2024.

    Streaming on Netflix beginning November 22nd is ‘The Piano Lesson,’ a film adaptation of the 1990 play by legendary playwright August Wilson. John David Washington stars as Boy Willie Charles, a sharecropper and ex-con who returns with his partner Lymon (Ray Fisher) to the Pittsburgh home of his uncle, Doaker Charles (Samuel L. Jackson), in 1936 with the intention of selling the family heirloom piano that sits in Doaker’s front room.

    Boy Willie intends to use the money to buy the land formerly belonging to the now-dead James Sutter, who owned the Charles family during the days of slavery. But his sister Berniece (Danielle Deadwyler), who lives with her daughter Maretha (Skylar Aleece Smith) in her uncle’s house, is adamant that the piano stay right where it is, as a connection to the spirits of the Charles family’s ancestors, some of whom may still be present in the piano and the household.

    A meditation on legacy, history, and coming to terms with the past, ‘The Piano Lesson’ is one of 10 plays written by Wilson that are known collectively as the ‘Pittsburgh Cycle’ or the ‘Century Cycle,’ which provide an overview of life for Black Americans in the 20th century. Each play is set in a different decade, while all but one take place in Pittsburgh, where Wilson grew up.

    Related Article: 45 Best Denzel Washington Movies of All Time

    (L to R) Pauletta Washington, Katia Washington, Erykah Badu, Todd Black, Jennifer Roth, Constanza Romero, Ray Fisher, Skylar Aleece Smith, Malcolm Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Corey Hawkins, Michael Potts, Denzel Washington, Alexandre Desplat, John David Washington, Dan Lin and Virgil Williams attend Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
    (L to R) Pauletta Washington, Katia Washington, Erykah Badu, Todd Black, Jennifer Roth, Constanza Romero, Ray Fisher, Skylar Aleece Smith, Malcolm Washington, Danielle Deadwyler, Corey Hawkins, Michael Potts, Denzel Washington, Alexandre Desplat, John David Washington, Dan Lin and Virgil Williams attend Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.

    ‘The Piano Lesson’ is the first film directed by Malcolm Washington, son of producer Denzel Washington and brother of John David Washington. Malcolm and John’s dad has been tasked by the Wilson family with adapting all 10 of Wilson’s plays for the screen, a project that began in 2016 with ‘Fences’ (which Denzel starred in and directed) and continued in 2020 with ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,’ which the elder Washington produced. With Malcolm and John David both involved with ‘The Piano Lesson,’ bringing the work of one of the most important Black voices in the American arts to the screen has become a true family affair.

    Denzel, John David, and Malcolm Washington all participated in a virtual press conference for the film, along with producer Todd Black and fellow cast members Ray Fisher, Corey Hawkins, and Michael Potts, during which Moviefone learned a lesson or two about the making of ‘The Piano Lesson.’

    1) Malcolm Washington Says Why He Wanted To Film ‘The Piano Lesson’

    John David Washington attends Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
    John David Washington attends Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.

    With a dad who’s a director, producer, and one of the greatest living actors of his time, and a brother who’s also a rising young star on stage and screen, Malcolm Washington explained why ‘The Piano Lesson’ became his entry into the family business.

    Malcolm Washington: I think it was an incredible opportunity to work with just great artists. That was really exciting. In terms of making it a film, I love cinema. I love filmmaking. I love watching films. It’s the language I speak. So I think having an opportunity to take some of the themes that are so resonant in the story and expand on them and visualize them and explore them in a new language was the most exciting, and I thought a way to honor the work in its purest essence.

    2) Denzel Washington Reveals The Secret Force Behind The Film

    (L to R) Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington attend Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
    (L to R) Pauletta Washington and Denzel Washington attend Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.

    The Oscar-winning actor said that his wife, Pauletta Pearson, was a driving force behind getting their son Malcolm to direct “The Piano Lesson.”

    Denzel Washington: The real producer isn’t here. Which is their mom. She’s the real producer. She actually said to me, you know, “Malcolm’s got some ideas. You should talk to him and put some things together,” and that’s kind of, I think, how it started.

    3) Malcolm Washington Sought Out Advice From A Filmmaking Hero

    Malcolm Washington attends Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
    Malcolm Washington attends Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Once he was confirmed to direct “The Piano Lesson,” Malcolm Washington spoke with filmmaking legend Spike Lee, a personal hero and influence.

    Malcolm Washington: I called him when I first started this project. One of the first things he said was how important choosing your collaborators are. Spike’s built that community as a filmmaker both behind the camera, in front of the camera, above the line, below the line, with a diversity of opinions and thoughts and experiences. So that was the first thing that I went after, both in our cast and our crew. People from varied backgrounds, different world views, different life experiences all came together to lend a voice to this.

    4) Several Of The Cast Members Performed The Play Together

    Ray Fisher attends Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
    Ray Fisher attends Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.

    John David Washington, Ray Fisher, Michael Potts, and Samuel L. Jackson all appeared in the 2022 Broadway revival of ‘The Piano Lesson,’ which Ray Fisher said was an important dynamic that carried over to the movie.

    Ray Fisher: From the stage version to the film version, I think we did form this sort of familial vibe amongst ourselves. It was a privilege to be able to work with these guys for months on end under the direction of LaTanya Richardson Jackson, who, were it not for her efforts, we wouldn’t be sitting here having this conversation with you here today…I think it helped us to just build and bond and learn to trust one another. Whatever happened on stage, I knew J.D. had my back, I knew Michael had my back, I knew Sam had my back, and vice-versa. I think that’s one of the bigger things that carried over, just that trust in one another to be there when you need them.

    5) An Early Cast And Crew Event Set The Tone

    (L to R) Ray Fisher, Writer/Director Malcolm Washington, and John David Washington on the set of 'The Piano Lesson'. Photo: Katia Washington/Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) Ray Fisher, Writer/Director Malcolm Washington, and John David Washington on the set of ‘The Piano Lesson’. Photo: Katia Washington/Netflix © 2024.

    Malcolm Washington recalled that when the cast and crew got together at the start of production, the chemistry between everyone working on the film was immediate.

    Malcolm Washington: For real, we did a cast and crew dinner before we shot. And it was everybody around the table. Normally, moments like that, you’re kind of nervous going in. You feel like, it can be awkward. Everybody’s kind of coming together for the first time. But it was just nonstop stories and laughter — the more experienced gentlemen telling their stories, and the newer guys kind of just taking it all in. But I remember turning to Corey [Hawkins] and we were just laughing. I was like, yeah, this is what the movie is. It’s sharing stories from generation to generation. It’s coming together at this table and sharing experience.

    6) The Newest Member Of The Cast Upped The Movie’s Game

    Danielle Deadwyler as Berniece in 'The Piano Lesson'. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.
    Danielle Deadwyler as Berniece in ‘The Piano Lesson’. Photo: Courtesy of Netflix.

    In the film, Danielle Deadwyler plays Berniece, who is steadfast in her refusal to sell the family piano despite her brother’s insistence on doing so. With credits like ‘Till,’ ‘The Harder They Fall,’ and ‘Station Eleven’ to her name, Malcolm Washington said that Deadwyler introduced a whole new energy to ‘The Piano Lesson.’

    Malcolm Washington: Yeah, Danielle was just an incredible talent. There was something that was so exciting about unleashing her on these gentlemen back here. Because she’s just a force of nature, and she changes the dynamic in the room when she enters it. So watching that happen every day, scene after scene, week after week, it was a master class.

    7) The Other Major New Addition To The Cast

    Corey Hawkins attends Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
    Corey Hawkins attends Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.

    The other member of the main cast not carried over from the Broadway production is Corey Hawkins (‘In The Heights,’ ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’), who plays a preacher named Avery Brown. Avery, who is in love with the widowed Berniece, tries to vanquish the spirits from the Charles house, going so far as to speak in tongues while blessing their home.

    John David Washington: You mentioned an incredible actress in Danielle, and here’s another one right here [gestures to Corey Hawkins]. Their energy and what they brought to the piece, it really opened it up even more so. We know that that was the game plan for Malcolm. Visually, cinematically, he was going to open it up. But from a performance standpoint, what [Hawkins] brings, the sequence at the end when he starts speaking in tongues and just set the tone, I didn’t know where that came from. But you couldn’t deny the energy and the spirits in the room that he started. So just playing off that and knowing we had our chemistry coming from the play was very exciting.

    8) How The Play Became The Movie

    (L to R) John David Washington as Boy Willie, Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker Charles, Michael Potts as Wining Boy and Ray Fisher as Lymon in 'The Piano Lesson'. Photo: David Lee/Netflix © 2024.
    (L to R) John David Washington as Boy Willie, Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker Charles, Michael Potts as Wining Boy and Ray Fisher as Lymon in ‘The Piano Lesson’. Photo: David Lee/Netflix © 2024.

    Like any play, ‘The Piano Lesson’ is limited to what can be done and shown on a single stage. Malcolm Washington said that the goal of the movie was to widen the story’s scope while remaining true to the spirit of the play.

    Malcolm Washington: I think the biggest kind of spiritual approach we took to it was to re-imagine it and re-interpret it for a new medium. So that was visualizing and imagining, what are the characters’ dreams? What are their wants? What do they imagine for themselves? How can we build out the world around them and present that to the audience? There’s a lot of new things, like the Crawford Grill sequence, the Erykah Badu sequence, the whole beginning and ending. That all is very new and recontextualizes what the story is that lives within it, and we wanted to push all of that, as well as all the genre stuff. We were coming in to tell this ghost story that was actually a story about American history and musings on Black American spiritual practices, but all within this guise of a ghost story that we’re able to push to the forefront. So I think it was more a re-imagining of these things and these themes, and how can we tell that story cinematically.

    9) ‘The Piano Lesson’ Touches On The Spiritual Aspect Of Black History

    Denzel Washington attends Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
    Denzel Washington attends Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Although on the surface ‘The Piano Lesson’ could be described as a ghost story, Denzel Washington said that there is a much deeper meaning to the spiritual aspects of the play, embodied by the faces of the Charles family’s ancestors carved into the woodwork of the piano.

    Denzel Washington: Our connection to our ancestors all the way back to Africa is a real thing. It’s a tangible, spiritual, real thing that you can feel. I remember asking my mother when I started to make it as an actor. I said, “Ma, you ever think?” She said, “Boy, all the people been praying for you — all the souls that were sacrificed for you.” You start thinking about it that way. All of those that look like us, that never made it, that got hung, that got shot, that got killed, whatever, generation after generation after generation. All of that is in us. We go down in there and it’s scary too. It’s in there and it comes out in ways that you can’t calculate. It’s not Method [acting], you know? It’s spiritual.

    10) Bringing The Work Of August Wilson To New Audiences

    Todd Black attends Netflix's 'The Piano Lesson' LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.
    Todd Black attends Netflix’s ‘The Piano Lesson’ LA premiere at The Egyptian Theatre Hollywood on November 19, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo: Roger Kisby/Getty Images for Netflix.

    Producer Todd Black, who also produced ‘Fences’ and ‘Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom’ alongside Denzel Washington, said that their ultimate goal is to film all 10 plays of Wilson’s ‘Century Cycle.’

    Todd Black: Well, Denzel was asked by Constanza Wilson and the estate to kind of shepherd, if you will, the 10 plays. Then [since] we worked together a lot, he came to me, and we talked about it. It’s an incredible honor. You get to bring one of the greatest playwrights ever in the world to the big screen. People don’t understand, theater is a smaller audience, and not everyone has the opportunity to see August Wilson’s work. So to get to put it in the theater and put it on Netflix, so many more people get to see it. It’s a huge responsibility. It lives forever. So we feel very, very responsible for bringing all of these with the right people at the helm and the right actors. Certainly, we couldn’t have gotten luckier with these actors. We are planning on doing the next one. We’re not going to announce what that is yet, but the goal is to do all 10 of them.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Piano Lesson’?

    Set in 1936 Pittsburgh during the aftermath of the Great Depression, ‘The Piano Lesson’ follows the lives of the Charles family in the Doaker Charles (Samuel L. Jackson) household and an heirloom, the family piano, which is decorated with designs carved by an enslaved ancestor.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Piano Lesson’?

    • Samuel L. Jackson as Doaker Charles
    • John David Washington as Boy Willie Charles
    • Ray Fisher as Lymon
    • Michael Potts as Wining Boy Charles
    • Erykah Badu as Lucille
    • Skylar Aleece Smith as Maretha Charles
    • Danielle Deadwyler as Berniece Charles
    • Corey Hawkins as Avery Brown
    • Melanie Jeffcoat as Miss Ophelia
    • Gail Bean as Dolly
    • Jerrika Hinton as Grace
    • Stephan James as Boy Charles
    • Malik J. Ali as Willie Boy
    • Jay Peterson as James Sutter
    • Matrell Smith as Crawley
    'The Piano Lesson'. Photo: David Lee/Netflix © 2024.
    ‘The Piano Lesson’. Photo: David Lee/Netflix © 2024.

    List of Denzel Washington Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Denzel Washington Movies on Amazon

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  • Samuel L. Jackson Joins Steven Spielberg’s Next Movie

    (Left) Samuel L. Jackson arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Michael Baker / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Presenter J.J. Abrams onstage during the live ABC Telecast of The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: Scott Diussa.
    (Left) Samuel L. Jackson arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Michael Baker / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S. (Right) Presenter J.J. Abrams onstage during the live ABC Telecast of The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Credit/Provider: Aaron Poole / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: Scott Diussa.

    Preview:

    • Samuel L. Jackson is the latest addition to J.J. Abrams’ next film.
    • Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega and Emma Mackey are also aboard.
    • The movie is being kept mostly under wraps but will shoot in the UK.

    Samuel L. Jackson is famously known as one of the actors with a hefty past credits list, and he’s certainly not short of job offers.

    The latest, according to The Hollywood Reporter comes from J.J. Abrams, who has been cooking up a mysterious new movie.

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    With the director is busy building the cast for his latest movie (more on that below), he’s now adding Jackson to the list.

    What’s the story of J.J. Abrams’ new film?

    (L to R) Composer Michael Giacchino and director J.J. Abrams on the set of 'Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.'
    (L to R) Composer Michael Giacchino and director J.J. Abrams on the set of ‘Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.’ Photo courtesy of Michael Giacchino’s Twitter.

    In keeping with much of J.J. Abrams’ past work, this new movie is wrapped in secrecy for now –– while there was some chatter about time travel as a subject matter, that has been debunked (unless Abrams went back in time to fix things!)

    But his return to theatrical features is a welcome one –– since wrapping up the ‘Star Wars’ sequel trilogy with ‘The Rise of Skywalker,’ Abrams has been pretty quiet on the movie front, at least as director.

    He’s been throwing himself more into TV as a producer, and helping shepherd a few other filmmakers’ projects to screens.

    Who else is in Abrams’ new movie?

    Glen Powell stars in 'Hit Man'.
    Glen Powell stars in ‘Hit Man’. Photo: Netflix.

    As with Christopher Nolan’s latest film, Abrams is the sort of director who can lock down pretty much any talent that he requires, short of them being unavailable.

    Jackson is just the newest person mentioned; the film already features the likes of Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega and Emma Mackey.

    As with everything to do with the movie, we don’t know what roles that ensemble will be taking, as the only concrete information appears to be a plan to shoot in the tax-break friendly studio spaces of the UK next spring.

    Related Article: Jenna Ortega in Talks to Join Glen Powell in J.J. Abrams’ Mysterious New Movie

    When will Abrams’ latest be in theaters?

    The latest project under the writer/director/producer’s longstanding deal between his Bad Robot company and Warner Bros., the movie has yet to confirm a release date.

    J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath during the live ABC Telecast of The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Photo: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S.Copyright: Scott Diussa.
    J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath during the live ABC Telecast of The 88th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre in Hollywood, CA on Sunday, February 28, 2016. Photo: Matt Petit / ©A.M.P.A.S.Copyright:
    Scott Diussa.

    List of Movies and TV shows from J.J. Abrams:

    Buy J.J. Abrams Movies and TV on Amazon

     

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  • Every M. Night Shyamalan Movie, Ranked

    Director M. Night Shyamalan on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures’ crime drama thriller 'Trap,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    Director M. Night Shyamalan on the set of Warner Bros. Pictures’ crime drama thriller ‘Trap,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Sabrina Lantos. Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Director M. Night Shyamalan is one of the most original and visionary filmmakers of his generation.

    Often compared to the great Steven Spielberg himself, Shyamalan burst on to the scene in the late 1990s with his Academy Award nominated blockbuster, ‘The Sixth Sense.’ Perfecting his signature “twist endings,” Shyamalan has delighted fans with surprising films like ‘Unbreakable,’ it’s sequels ‘Split‘ and ‘Glass,’ ‘Signs,’ The Village,’ ‘Old‘ and most recently ‘Knock at the Cabin.’

    After four seasons of serving as director and showrunner on the Apple TV+ series ‘Servant,’ Shyamalan returns to the big screen with his latest thriller ‘Trap,’ which stars Josh Hartnett and opens in theaters on August 2nd.

    In honor of its release, Moviefone has ranked every movie filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan has ever directed, including his latest.

    Without further ado, let’s begin!


    16. ‘After Earth‘ (2013)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'After Earth'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘After Earth’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    One thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity’s escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind’s new home. Legendary General Cypher Raige (Will Smith) returns from an extended tour of duty to his estranged family, ready to be a father to his 13-year-old son, Kitai (Jaden Smith).

    When an asteroid storm damages Cypher and Kitai’s craft, they crash-land on a now unfamiliar and dangerous Earth. As his father lies dying in the cockpit, Kitai must trek across the hostile terrain to recover their rescue beacon. His whole life, Kitai has wanted nothing more than to be a soldier like his father. Today, he gets his chance.

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    15. ‘The Last Airbender‘ (2010)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Last Airbender'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘The Last Airbender’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    The story follows the adventures of Aang (Noah Ringer), a young successor to a long line of Avatars, who must put his childhood ways aside and stop the Fire Nation from enslaving the Water, Earth and Air nations.

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    14. ‘The Happening‘ (2008)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Happening'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘The Happening’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

    When a deadly airborne virus threatens to wipe out the northeastern United States, teacher Elliott Moore (Mark Wahlberg) and his wife Alma (Zooey Deschanel) flee from contaminated cities into the countryside in a fight to discover the truth. Is it terrorism, the accidental release of some toxic military bio weapon — or something even more sinister?

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    13. ‘Praying with Anger‘ (1992)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'Praying with Anger'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Praying with Anger’. Photo: Cinevistaas.

    An alienated, Americanized teenager (Shyamalan) of East Indian heritage is sent back to India where he discovers not only his roots but a lot about himself.

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    12. ‘The Visit‘ (2015)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Visit'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘The Visit’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    A brother (Ed Oxenbould) and sister (Olivia DeJonge) are sent to their grandparents’ remote Pennsylvania farm for a week, where they discover that the elderly couple (Deanna Dunagan and Peter McRobbie) is involved in something deeply disturbing.

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    11. ‘Lady in the Water‘ (2006)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'Lady in the Water'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Lady in the Water’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Apartment building superintendent Cleveland Heep (Paul Giamatti) rescues what he thinks is a young woman (Bryce Dallas Howard) from the pool he maintains. When he discovers that she is actually a character from a bedtime story who is trying to make the journey back to her home, he works with his tenants to protect his new friend from the creatures that are determined to keep her in our world.

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    10. ‘Wide Awake‘ (1998)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'Wide Awake'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Wide Awake’. Photo: Miramax Films.

    The tale of a ten-year-old boy (Joseph Cross) in a Catholic school who, following the death of his beloved grandfather (Robert Loggia), embarks on a quest to discover the meaning of life.

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    9. ‘Old‘ (2021)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'Old'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Old’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    A group of families on a tropical holiday discover that the secluded beach where they are staying is somehow causing them to age rapidly – reducing their entire lives into a single day.

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    8. ‘Split‘ (2017)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'Split'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Split’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Though Kevin (James McAvoy) has evidenced 23 personalities to his trusted psychiatrist, Dr. Fletcher (Betty Buckley), there remains one still submerged who is set to materialize and dominate all the others. Compelled to abduct three teenage girls led by the willful, observant Casey (Anya Taylor-Joy), Kevin reaches a war for survival among all of those contained within him — as well as everyone around him — as the walls between his compartments shatter apart.

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    7. ‘The Village‘ (2004)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Villiage'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘The Villiage’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

    When a willful young man (Joaquin Phoenix) tries to venture beyond his sequestered Pennsylvania hamlet, his actions set off a chain of chilling incidents that will alter the community forever.

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    6. ‘Glass‘ (2019)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'Glass'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Glass’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    In a series of escalating encounters, former security guard David Dunn (Bruce Willis) uses his supernatural abilities to track Kevin Wendell Crumb (James McAvoy), a disturbed man who has twenty-four personalities. Meanwhile, the shadowy presence of Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson) emerges as an orchestrator who holds secrets critical to both men.

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    5. ‘Trap‘ (2024)

    Josh Hartnett as Cooper and Ariel Donoghue as Riley in Warner Bros. Pictures’ crime drama thriller 'Trap,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
    (L to R) Josh Hartnett as Cooper and Ariel Donoghue as Riley in Warner Bros. Pictures’ crime drama thriller ‘Trap,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Sabrina Lantos. Copyright: © 2024 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    A father (Josh Hartnett) and teen daughter (Ariel Donoghue) attend a pop concert, where they realize they’re at the center of a dark and sinister event.

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    4. Knock at the Cabin (2023)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'Knock at the Cabin'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Knock at the Cabin’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    While vacationing at a remote cabin, a young girl (Kristen Cui) and her parents (Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge) are taken hostage by four armed strangers (Dave Bautista, Nikki Amuka-Bird, Abby Quinn, and Rupert Grint) who demand that the family make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. With limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost.

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    3. ‘Signs‘ (2002)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'Signs'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Signs’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

    A family (Mel Gibson, Joaquin Phoenix, Rory Culkin, and Abigail Breslin) living on a farm finds mysterious crop circles in their fields which suggests something more frightening to come.

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    2. ‘The Sixth Sense‘ (1999)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'The Sixth Sense'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘The Sixth Sense’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

    Following an unexpected tragedy, a child psychologist named Malcolm Crowe (Bruce Willis) meets a nine year old boy named Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment), who is hiding a dark secret.

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    1. ‘Unbreakable‘ (2000)

    M. Night Shyamalan's 'Unbreakable'.
    M. Night Shyamalan’s ‘Unbreakable’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

    An ordinary man (Bruce Willis) makes an extraordinary discovery when a train accident leaves his fellow passengers dead — and him unscathed. The answer to this mystery could lie with the mysterious Elijah Price (Samuel L. Jackson), a man who suffers from a disease that renders his bones as fragile as glass

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  • Best Richard Roundtree Movies

    2019 'Shaft's Richard Roundtree.
    2019 ‘Shaft’s Richard Roundtree.

    Legendary actor and Hollywood icon Richard Roundtree passed away in 2023 after a long battle with cancer at the age of 81.

    Best known for playing the iconic character John Shaft in five movies including the original ‘Shaft‘ and the 2000 reboot starring Samuel L. Jackson, Roundtree also appeared in the groundbreaking TV series ‘Roots‘, as well as popular movies like ‘Earthquake‘, ‘Se7en‘, ‘George of the Jungle‘, ‘Brick‘, and ‘Speed Racer‘.

    Roundtree’s final film is the action-comedy ‘Thelma,’ which also stars Oscar-nominee June Squibb and opens in theaters on June 21st. Roundtree’s final performance is already earning the late actor some of the best reviews of his long career.

    In honor of ‘Thelma’s release, Moviefone is counting down the 20 best movies of Richard Roundtree’s legendary career, including his last.

    Let’s begin!


    20. ‘Corky Romano‘ (2001)

    Peter Berg, Chris Penn and Chris Kattan in 'Corky Romano'.
    (L to R) Peter Berg, Chris Penn and Chris Kattan in ‘Corky Romano’. Photo: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution.

    Corky Romano (Chris Kattan) is a bumbling, simpleton, veterinarian and the youngest, outcast son of an aging gangster, named Pops Romano (Peter Falk), who calls upon Corky to infiltrate the local FBI and retrieve and destroy evidence being used to incriminate Pops for racketeering charges.

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    19. ‘Steel‘ (1997)

    When a renegade military reject puts new superweapons in dangerous hands, John Henry Irons (Shaquille O’Neal) becomes Steel. Wearing body armor, wielding a fearsome electrohammer and riding a gadget-packed motorcycle, he’s ready to wage war… if he can fix the untimely glitches in his untested gear.

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    18. ‘Man Friday‘ (1975)

    Englishman Robinson Crusoe (Peter O’Toole), stranded alone on an island for years, is overjoyed to find a fellow man, a black islander whom he names Friday (Roundtree). But Crusoe cannot overcome the shackles of his own heritage and upbringing and is incapable of seeing Friday as anything other than a savage who needs Crusoe’s brand of cultural and religious enlightenment. Friday attempts to share his own more generous and unashamed culture, but ultimately realizes that Crusoe can never see him as anything but an inferior being. With that awareness, Friday sets out to turn the tables on Crusoe.

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    17. ‘George of the Jungle‘ (1997)

    Deep in the African jungle, a baby named George (Brendan Fraser), the sole survivor of a plane crash, is raised by gorillas. George grows up to be a buff and lovable klutz who has a rain forest full of animal friends: Tookie, his big-beaked toucan messenger; Ape, a witty talking gorilla; and Shep, a peanut-loving pooch of an elephant. But when poachers mess with George’s pals, the King Of Swing swings into action.

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    16. ‘Escape to Athena‘ (1979)

    During the World War II, the prisoners of a German camp in a Greek island are trying to escape. They not only want their freedom, but also seek an ineffable treasure hidden in a monastery at the summit of the island’s mountain.

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    15. ‘Shaft‘ (2019)

    Samuel L. Jackson and Richard Roundtree in 2019's 'Shaft'.
    (L to R) Samuel L. Jackson and Richard Roundtree in 2019’s ‘Shaft’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    JJ, aka John Shaft Jr. (Jessie T. Usher), may be a cyber security expert with a degree from MIT, but to uncover the truth behind his best friend’s untimely death, he needs an education only his dad can provide. Absent throughout JJ’s youth, the legendary locked-and-loaded John Shaft (Samuel L. Jackson) agrees to help his progeny navigate Harlem’s heroin-infested underbelly.

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    14. ‘What Men Want‘ (2019)

    Magically able to hear what men are thinking, a sports agent (Taraji P. Henson) uses her newfound ability to turn the tables on her overbearing male colleagues.

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    13. ‘Game for Vultures‘ (1980)

    The South African businessman David Swansey (Richard Harris) is delivering illegal German helicopters to Rhodesia That makes the patriot Gideon Marunga (Roundtree) an angry man.

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    12. ‘Earthquake‘ (1974)

    Various interconnected people struggle to survive when an earthquake of unimaginable magnitude hits Los Angeles, California.

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    11. ‘Maniac Cop‘ (1988)

    Innocent people are brutally killed on the streets of New York by a uniformed police officer. A young cop, Jack Forrest (Bruce Campbell), finds himself marked as the chief suspect after his wife is murdered.

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    10. ‘Shaft’s Big Score!‘ (1972)

    Richard Roundtree in 'Shaft's Big Score!'.
    Richard Roundtree in ‘Shaft’s Big Score!’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    John Shaft (Roundtree) is back as the lady-loved black detective cop on the search for the murderer of a client.

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    9. ‘City Heat‘ (1984)

    Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood in 'City Heat'.
    (L to R) Burt Reynolds and Clint Eastwood in ‘City Heat’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Set in Kansas City in 1933, Clint Eastwood plays a police lieutenant known simply by his last name, Speer. Burt Reynolds plays a former cop turned private eye named Mike Murphy. Both Speer and Murphy served on the force together and were once good friends, but are now bitter enemies. When Murphy’s partner is slain they team up again to fight the mob.

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    8. ‘Moving On‘ (2023)

    Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda star in director Paul Weitz's 'Moving On.'
    (L to R) Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda star in director Paul Weitz’s ‘Moving On.’

    Two old friends (Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin) reconnect at their friend’s funeral, and decide to exact revenge on the widower who wronged all three of them decades earlier.

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    7. ‘Shaft in Africa‘ (1973)

    Richard Roundtree in 'Shaft in Africa'.
    (Right) Richard Roundtree in ‘Shaft in Africa’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    Detective John Shaft (Roundtree) travels incognito to Ethiopia then France to bust a human trafficking ring

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    6. ‘Speed Racer‘ (2008)

    Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Kick Gurry and Emile Hirsch in 'Speed Racer'.
    (L to R) Christina Ricci, Susan Sarandon, John Goodman, Kick Gurry and Emile Hirsch in ‘Speed Racer’. Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.

    Speed Racer (Emile Hirsch) is a young and brilliant racing driver. When corruption in the racing leagues costs his brother his life, Speed must team up with the police and the mysterious Racer X (Matthew Fox) to bring an end to the corruption and criminal activities.

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    5. ‘Shaft‘ (2000)

    Samuel L. Jackson and Jeffrey Wright in 2000's 'Shaft'.
    (L to R) Samuel L. Jackson and Jeffrey Wright in 2000’s ‘Shaft’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    New York police detective John Shaft (Samuel L. Jackson) arrests Walter Wade Jr. (Christian Bale) for a racially motivated slaying. But the only eyewitness disappears, and Wade jumps bail for Switzerland. Two years later Wade returns to face trial, confident his money and influence will get him acquitted — especially since he’s paid a drug kingpin (Jeffrey Wright) to kill the witness.

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    4. ‘Brick‘ (2005)

    Joseph Gordon-Levitt in 'Brick'.
    (Left) Joseph Gordon-Levitt in ‘Brick’. Photo: Focus Features.

    After a phone call from his ex-girlfriend (Emilie de Ravin), teenage loner Brendan Frye (Joseph Godron-Levitt) learns that her dead body was found. Vowing to solve her murder himself, he must infiltrate high-school cliques that he previously avoided. His search for the truth brings him before some of the school’s roughest characters.

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    3. ‘Se7en‘ (1995)

    Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman in 'Se7en'.
    (L to R) Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman in ‘Se7en’. Photo: New Line Cinema.

    Two homicide detectives are on a desperate hunt for a serial killer whose crimes are based on the “seven deadly sins” in this dark and haunting film that takes viewers from the tortured remains of one victim to the next. The seasoned Det. Sommerset (Morgan Freeman) researches each sin in an effort to get inside the killer’s mind, while his novice partner, Mills (Brad Pitt), scoffs at his efforts to unravel the case.

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    2. ‘Thelma‘ (2024)

    Richard Roundtree and June Squibb in 'Thelma', a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
    (L to R) Richard Roundtree and June Squibb in ‘Thelma’, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.

    Deceived by a phone scammer pretending to be her grandson, a 90-year-old woman (June Squibb) sets out on a quest to reclaim what was taken from her.

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    1. ‘Shaft‘ (1971)

    Richard Roundtree in 1971's 'Shaft'.
    Richard Roundtree in 1971’s ‘Shaft’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    Cool black private eye John Shaft (Roundtree) is hired by a crime lord to find and retrieve his kidnapped daughter.

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Garfield Movie’

    Chris Pratt voices Garfield in 'The Garfield Movie.'
    (Left) Chris Pratt voices Garfield in ‘The Garfield Movie.’ Photo: Sony.

    Opening in theaters on May 24th is the new animated family film ‘The Garfield Movie,’ which stars Chris Pratt (‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3’) as the voice of the title character and was directed by Mark Dindal (‘Chicken Little’).

    The movie also features the voice work of Samuel L. Jackson (‘Secret Invasion’), Hannah Waddingham (‘The Fall Guy’), Ving Rhames (‘Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning’), Nicholas Hoult (‘X-Men: First Class’), and Harvey Guillén (‘What We Do in the Shadows‘) as Odie.

    Related Article: Chris Pratt Talks ‘The Garfield Movie’ and Voicing the Iconic Cat

    Initial Thoughts

    Chris Pratt is the voice of Garfield in 'The Garfield Movie'.
    Chris Pratt is the voice of Garfield in ‘The Garfield Movie’. Copyright: © 2023 Project G Productions, LLC. Photo: DNEG Animation.

    ‘The Garfield Movie’ is a surprisingly entertaining and funny family animated film that explores the character’s previously unknown family history and origin story. Samuel L. Jackson’s Vic, Garfield’s father, is a strong addition to the franchise’s group of characters and is a great foil for our beloved feline. Director Mark Dindal packs a lot of humor and heart into the film, which is basically a heist movie that also explores family and friendship.

    Script and Direction

    Vic and Garfield in 'The Garfield Movie.'
    (L to R) Vic and Garfield in ‘The Garfield Movie.’ Photo: DNEG Animation. Copyright: © 2023 Project G Productions, LLC.

    The movie begins by reintroducing us to the lazy but lovable lasagna eating cat, Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt). We are also quickly introduced to his owner Jon Arbuckle (voiced by Nicholas Hoult) and his canine buddy Odie (voiced by Harvey Guillén) and learn how they all first met when Garfield was abandoned by his father, Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson).

    Vic soon reappears in Garfield’s life and involves him and Odie in a heist plot to pay back a villainous Persian Cat named Jinx (voiced by Hannah Waddingham), who Vic is indebted to. Along the way, they meet a bull named Otto (voiced by Ving Rhames), who has been separated from his true love, and the father and son attempt to help him while trying to outsmart Jinx and ruin her evil plans. Eventually, Vic and his son are brought closer together by the events, while Garfield and Odie desperately try to return to their happy home with Jon.

    Odie, Vic and Garfield in 'The Garfield Movie'.
    (L to R) Odie, Vic and Garfield in ‘The Garfield Movie’. Photo: DNEG Animation. Copyright: © 2023 Project G Productions, LLC.

    Director by Mark Dindal delivers a fun and heartwarming film that not only reveals Garfield’s origin, but also explores the relationship between fathers and sons in a very interesting way. Focusing on Garfield’s personal history was a wise choice, as it has not been previously explored in any other incarnation of the character. The movie is also an entertaining heist film and builds on the exploration of the characters throughout.

    While the animation is not anything too groundbreaking, it does work well for the material and has a similar look to the comic strip cartoons where the character originated. The movie is clearly designed for a younger audience as some of the jokes are rather immature, but they still fit the character and there is enough nostalgia, action and emotion for an older audience.

    Chris Pratt as Garfield

    Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield in 'The Garfield Movie'.
    Chris Pratt as the voice of Garfield in ‘The Garfield Movie’. Photo By Trae Patton. © 2023 CTMG, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Following in the footsteps of Lorenzo Music (‘Here Comes Garfield’) and Bill Murray (‘Garfield’), Chris Pratt channels his ‘Parks and Recreation’ character to deliver a lazy, sarcastic performance worthy of the cartoon cat. Pratt’s humor is also on display, and he has great chemistry with Samuel L. Jackson. In fact, the exploration of Garfield and Vic’s estranged relationship is at the heart of the movie, and Pratt delivers the emotion when needed.

    The Supporting Cast

    Jinx in 'The Garfield Movie'.
    Jinx in ‘The Garfield Movie’. Photo: DNEG Animation. Copyright: © 2023 Project G Productions, LLC.

    Of the supporting voice cast, Samuel L. Jackson is the standout as Garfield’s estranged father, Vic. Jackson’s famous cool voice lends itself perfectly to the character, and he works well with Pratt’s laidback performance. Also, a standout is Hannah Waddingham as the voice of Jinx, and the actresses own offscreen persona plays well into the over-the-top villainous feline character. Ving Rhames is also a great addition to the voice cast as his unique deep voice lends itself to Otto the bull quite well.

    Nicholas Hoult and Harvey Guillén are fine as Jon and Odie, respectively, but are at times shortchanged by the script, particularly Hoult. Also worth mentioning is a cameo by the very recognizable voice of Snoop Dogg, who plays a one-eyed cat.

    Final Thoughts

    Vic, Garfield, Odie and Otto in 'The Garfield Movie'.
    (L to R) Vic, Garfield, Odie and Otto in ‘The Garfield Movie’. Photo: DNEG Animation. Copyright: © 2023 Project G Productions, LLC.

    While nostalgia for the beloved cartoon cat carries the film far, it’s his origin story, the heist plot, and exploring the relationship between fathers and sons that makes the new movie worth watching. The movie’s humor is mostly skewed towards kids, and some juvenile jokes may not land with an older audience, but adults will be able to latch on to some of the larger ideas in the movie and should find it enjoyable anyways. Chris Pratt carries the mantel of Garfield well, and Samuel L. Jackson’s Vic is a great addition to the overall franchise.

    ‘The Garfield Movie’ receives 7 out or 10 stars.

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    What is the Plot of ‘The Garfield Movie’?

    Garfield (voiced by Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (voiced by Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie (voiced by Harvey Guillén) are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Garfield Movie?

    Chris Pratt is the voice of Garfield in 'The Garfield Movie'.
    Chris Pratt is the voice of Garfield in ‘The Garfield Movie’. Copyright: © 2023 Project G Productions, LLC. Photo: DNEG Animation.

    Other Garfield Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘The Garfield Movie’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy ‘Garfield‘ Movies On Amazon

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